Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Five Matches That Made Messi Argentina’s Greatest Football Hero
Lionel Messi had many great games for Barcelona and Argentina.
In 2022, he helped Argentina beat France in the World Cup final and win the tournament.
He scored twice in that match, and Argentina won the shootout.
Earlier, he scored twice when Barcelona beat Real Madrid 6-2 in 2009.
In 2012, he scored five goals against Bayer Leverkusen.
In 2017, he scored a late winning goal against Real Madrid.
He also scored and helped Julián Álvarez score against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup semi-final.
These matches show how Messi could score goals and help his teammates.
Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final, securing his first World Cup title.
Barcelona beat Real Madrid 6-2 in 2009, with Messi scoring twice in a false-nine role.
Messi scored five goals in Barcelona’s 7-1 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
Messi scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, in Barcelona’s 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in 2017.
Messi scored and assisted Julián Álvarez in Argentina’s 3-0 World Cup semi-final win over Croatia in 2022.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, playing for Argentina and Barcelona.
- What
- Five matches highlighted Messi’s scoring and playmaking: the 2022 World Cup final and semi-final, and three notable Barcelona matches.
- When
- 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2022.
- Where
- Qatar for the 2022 World Cup matches; Barcelona’s matches against Real Madrid were at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Bayer Leverkusen match venue is not stated.
- Why
- The matches are presented as defining examples of Messi’s performances and his role in Argentina’s World Cup victory.
Match perspectives
Article’s framing
Messi’s defining achievement
Match perspectives
The 2022 World Cup final is presented as the defining match of Messi’s career, bringing Argentina the trophy and Messi the major title missing from his collection.
Article’s framing
The article also emphasizes his Barcelona performances, including landmark wins and individual scoring records, as key parts of his legacy.
- World Cup final
- Argentina defeated France on penalties after a 3-3 draw; Messi scored twice.
- World Cup award
- Messi received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
- 2009 El Clásico
- Barcelona beat Real Madrid 6-2; Messi scored twice.
- 2012 Champions League
- Barcelona beat Bayer Leverkusen 7-1; Messi scored five goals.
- 2017 El Clásico
- Barcelona won 3-2 at the Bernabéu; Messi scored twice, including the stoppage-time winner.
- World Cup semi-final
- Argentina beat Croatia 3-0; Messi scored a penalty and assisted Julián Álvarez.